Gas-producer.



PATIENTEDNOV. 24, 1903.

J., R. GEORGE.Y GAS PRODUCER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3, 1902.

v N0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES Patented November 24, 1903.

PATENT EETCE.

JEROME R. GEORGE, OE WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO MORGAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHU- SETTS, A CORPORATION OE MASSACHUSETTS.

4GAS-PRODUCER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 745,176, dated November 24, 1903.

Y Application filed April 3, 1902. Serial No. 101,142. (No model.)

Figure 1 represents a top View of a gasproducer provided with my improved feeding device, but having a coal-reservoir removed therefrom in order to disclose the rotating coal-distributer; and Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of my improved feeding device and of the upper portion of the gasproducer on line 2 2, Fig'. 1.

Similar reference-figures refer to similar parts in the different views.

My present invention relates to a device for accomplishing the uniform andeven distribution of coal to the combustion-chamber of a gas-producer; and it has for its object to simplify the construction of the coal-distributing mechanism, to protect it from the injurious effects of overheating, and to secure a uniform feeding and. even distribution of coal within the combustion-chamber of the producer, and I accomplish these results by means of the construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter described, and shown in the accompanying drawings, the novel features being pointed out in the annexed claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes the upper portion of a gas-producer having a combustion-chamber 2 of the usual and well-known form of construction. Mounted upon the upper end of the producer is a metal top plate 3, having an opening 4 concentric with the combustion-chamber 2, through which coal is fed to the combustionchamber. The opening 4 is surrounded by an annular flange 5, projecting upwardly from the plate 3. Concentric with the flange 5 and extending upwardly from the plate 3 is a iange 6, which, together with the iange 5, forms an annular trough or water-space '7.

Mounted upon the plate 3,concentrically with the opening 4 and at equal distances apart, are three brackets 8, each supporting a vertical and a horizontal stud,upon which turn the friction-rolls 9 and 10. The friction-rolls 9 support upon their upper surfaces a rotating coal-distributing pan 11, provided with a horizontal bottom plate 12, which extends acrossl the opening 4 a short distance above the annular flange 5. The outer edge of the bottom plate 12 isA provided with a depending iiange 13, which extends downward into the waterspace 7, and an upwardly-extending side, forming a rim 14, which incloses a water-space 15. The upper edge of the rim 14E is provided with an outward flange 16, which rests upon the periphery of the friction-rolls 9 and to which is attached an annular rack-17. The edge of the flange 16 bears against the rolls 10,thereby holding the bottom plate 12 from lateralmovement, and the rack 17 is engaged by a pinion 18 upon a vertical shaft 19, to which an intermittent motion is given by means of a ratchet-wheel 20, which is actuated by a vibrating pawl 21, driven by an eccentric 22, whereby an intermittent rotary motion is imparted to the bottom plate 12 and coal-distributing pan 11.

' The coal-distributing pan 11 is provided with a bottOm 28, which is preferably slightly inclined from a horizontal plane and .is supported upon a rib 11. The bottom plate 12 is provided near one edge with an opening 25, which communicates by a passage 24 with the coal-distributing pan 11, forming a spout-like passage from the coal-distributing pan 11 through the opening 25 into the combustionchamber of the furnace. The opening 25 is located outside and at somedistance beyond the vertical plane of the circular side wall 26 of the coal-distributing pan, and the lower edge of the inclined bottom 23 is extended laterally into the coal-passage 24 and is joined to the horizontal bottom plate 12.

The coal-distributing pan 117 with its side wall 26, inclined bottom 23, horizontal bottom plate 12, and with its ianges for forming the water seals, as herein described, is cast Vin a single piece, with an open space between the horizontal bottom plate l2 and the inclined bottom to allow the water inclosed within the rim 14 to flow from the coal-distributing space l5 into the space between the horizontal bottom plate l2 and the inclined bottom 23, thereby covering the upper surface of the bottom plate l2.

The water-pan ll is provided with a flange 27, concentric with and outside the side 26, inclosing an annular water-space 28 between the ianges 27 and the side 2G in order to form a water seal between the upper edge oi the revolving coal-distributing pan and the lower edge of the stationary coal-reservoir. The coal-reservoir 29, preferably cylindrical in its upper section and having a hopper-shaped lower section 30, is attached to and supported upon three equidistant braces 3l, mounted upon the top plate 3'of the producer. The lower end of the hopper-shaped section 30 is provided with a cylindrical flange 32, which extends within the side 26 of the coal-dis-l tributing pan, and also with an annular concentric flange 33,which extends into the waterspace 28.

Mounted upon the top of the coal-reservoir 29 is a hopper 34E to receive the coal and deliver it to the reservoir 29 through an opening in the. top of the hopper 34, said opening being opened and closed at will by a rotating damper 3G of the usual and well-known construction and operated by a lever-handle 37.

Projecting upwardly from the inclined bottom 23 of the coal-distributing pan ll and integral therewith are the blades 38, which extend into the coal-reservoir 29 and are preferably located. slightly eccentric to the axis of rotation of the coal-distributing pan. As the coal-distributing pan is rotated the blades 28 serve to agitate the coal within the contracted mouth of the coal-reservoir and prevent it from clogging as it passes downward into the coal-distributing pan ll and is supported upon its inclined bottom 23. The opening 25 through the horizontalbottom plate 12 of the coal-distributing pan is placed far enough outside the vertical plane of the side wall 26 of the pan so that the accumulated coal resting upon the inclined bottom 23 and opposite the opening 25 will lie within the angle of repose and when the coaldistribut ing pan is at rest will be prevented from iiowingby gravity through the opening 25 into the combustion-chamber; but when the coal-distributing pan and mass of coal supported thereon is rotated against the pressure of the superincumbent stationary mass of coal contained in the reservoir 29 the coal upon the inclined bottom 23 will be pushed through the passage 24 and oft the lower edge of the bottom 23 through the opening 25 into the`combustion-chamber and permittedto fall in an annular path upon the charge of coal 39 contained in the combustion-chamber. As

the pieces of:l coal diverge but little in their descent they form an annular ridge, from which they roll toward the outside and the tire upper surface of the bottom plate l2 and flowing around the opening 2 From the water-space l5 it flows through an opening -into the lower water-space 7, from which itis conducted by an overflowpipe 45. The single stream of water through the pipe @L0 therefore not only provides the water seal between the upper edge of the coal-distributing pan and the lower edge of the coal-reservoir and also between the coal-distributing pan and the top plate 3, but it also serves to protect the bottom plate l2 from the injurious effect of heat and at the same time to cool the space within the coal-delivery opening 25 and preventing the cokin got' the coal therein. Should this occur, the coal-passage is accessible by means of an opening in the wall 42, said opening being closed by a plug 4G. The under side of the horizontal bottom plate l2 is provided with a series of dovctail projections 47 to engage and support a line S of {ire-clay by which the under side of the bottom plate l2 is shielded from the heat of the producer.

I not only accomplish a very even and uniform distribution of coal within the combustion-chamber by means of myimproved coaldistributing device, but, what is of great importance, I am enabled to protect the entire mechanism from injury due to the excessive heat of the producer, and I am enabled to accomplish this result by placing the rotating coal-distributing mechanism entirely above the top plate 3 of the producer and extending the same beyond the -central opening to the heating-chamber, whereby a current of water can be maintained upon the upper surface of the bottom plate l2 of the coal-distributing pan.

lVhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In agas-producer, having an opening in its top communicating with the combustionchamber, a feeding device comprising a ro tating coaldistributing pan placed over said opening and a stationary coal-reservoir placed above said pan and communicating therewith, said coal-distributing pan having an unobstructed passage therethrough, and having an opening at its lower end eccentric to its axis of rotation for the delivery of coal to the combustion-chamber, and an opening at its upper end for the reception of coal from said reservoir, a coalsupporting bottom whercon coal is held at an angle oi' repose IOO while the coal-distributing pan is at' rest, and means for rotating said pan.

2. A feeding device for gas-producerscomprising a top plate having an opening concentric with the combustion-chamber of the producer, a rotating coaldistributing pan having an unobstructed passage therethrough and provided with an opening at the top concentric with the axis of said pan for the reception of coal, and an opening at the bottom eccentric to the axis ot' the panfor the delivery of coal, and a coal-supporting surface between said openings whereon coal in a state of rest is supported at an angle of repose, and means for rotating said pan.

3. The combination with the stationary top plate of a gas-producer having a central circular opening communicatingwith the combustion-chamber, and a vertical flange concentric with said central opening, of a rotating coal-distributin g pan having a horizontal bottom-platc extending over said opening and over said flange, with a water-sealed edge and an inclined coal-supporting bottom with an opening at the top to admit coal upon said inclined bottom, and an unobstructed eccentric opening at the bottom of the pan and at one side of said inclined bottom to deliver coal to the combustion-chamber.

et. The combination with the top plate of a gas-producer having an opening communicating with the combustion-chamber, of a rotating coal-distributing pan placed over the opening in said top plate and having an unobstructed passage therethrough for coal from said pan to the opening in said top plate, said coal-passage being diverted from a vertical line, whereby the coal is 4supported in said pan at the angle of repose and held from being moved through said passage by gravity and a stationary coal-reservoir placed above said rotating pan and communicating therewith, substantially as described.

5. The combination with the top of a gasproducer having an opening communicating with the combustion-chamber, of a rotating coal-distributing pan placed over said opening, said pan having an unobstructed passage therethrough eccentric to its axis of rotation through which coal is delivered from said pan to the heating-chamber of the producer, said passage being deiiected from a vertical line, whereby the coal supported in said pan is held at an angle of repose, an inclined bottom in said pan and a stationary coal-reservoir placed above said pan and communicating therewith, substantially as described.

6. The combination with the top of a gasproducer, of a coal-distributing pan by which coal is fed to said producer, said pan having an inclined bottom onwhich the coal is supported and a passage for the delivery of coal therefrom, said passage being deflected from a vertical line, whereby the coal is held at an angle of repose, a stationary coal-reservoir placed above said pan and communicating therewith, means for rotating said pan and means carried by said pan for agitating thecoal in said reservoir,'substantially as described.

7. The combination with the combustionchamber of a gas-producer, of a stationary top plate having a concentric opening leading to said chamber, an annular water-trough surrounding said opening, a plate forming a cover for said opening and having at its edge a depending flange entering said watertrough, and a coal-distributing pan mounted on said plate, said pan having an opening at its top for the admission of coal and an opening at is bottom for the delivery of coal, said openings being connected by an unobstructed passage at an oblique angle to the axis of said pan, whereby the coal is supported `in said passage against gravity while the pan is at rest, and means for rotating said pan, substantially as described.

S. The combination with the top plate of a gas-producer having an opening leading to the combustion-chamber, of, an annular Water-trough surrounding said opening, a rotating plate cover-in g said opening and having an opening communicating with the opening in said top plate and eccentric thereto, means for rotating said plate, an annular flange on said plate entering said watersaid pan to said eccentric opening, said passage being deflected from a vertical line,

whereby the coal in said pan is held at an angle of repose, anda coal-reservoir placed above said pan and communicating therewith, substantially as described.

9. The combination with the top of a gasproducer having an opening leading to the combustion-chamber of an annular watertrough surrounding said opening, a rotating coal-distributing pan placed above said opening and having a flange entering said watertrough, said pan having an unobstructed passage therethrough placed at an oblique angle whereby the coal is supported therein against gravity during a state of rest, a stationary coal-reservoir placed above said pan and communicating therewith, means for rotating said coal -distributing pan and an overlapping water-sealed joint between said reservoir and said pan, substantially as described.

l0. The combination with the combustionchamber of a gas-producer having an open-- ing in its top, of a rotating coal-distributingl gravity during a state of rest, substantiallyy as described.

ktrough,'a coal-distributing pan mounted on said rotating plate, a passage for coal from roo ll. The combination With a gas-producer having an opening in its top, of a plate extending over said opening, means for rotating said plate, a coal-distributing pan mounted on said plate and having an inclined bottom, and a coal-delivery passage leading from the side of said pan downward through said rotating plate eccentrically to its axis.

l2. The combination with a gas-producer having an opening in its top for the admission of coal, of a rotating plate covering said opening, said plate having an opening eccentric to its axis of rotation, a coal-distributing pan mounted on and carried by said rotating plate, a passage leading from said pan to the opening in said rotating plate, a rim around sa'id rotating plate for the retention of Water 

